Yankees notes: Swing time for Carlos Beltran

The Record

Swing time

Carlos Beltran faces a significant test of his right elbow in five days. "He's going to try to start swinging a bat on Monday," said Yankees manager Joe Girardi. "And if it doesn't feel good, probably the next step will be surgery."

On Tuesday, Beltran visited Dr. James Andrews for a second opinion on the bone spur near his right elbow. The switch-hitting outfielder recently had a second cortisone shot to reduce the pain, which he first felt as a designated hitter May 12 against the Mets.

If he's OK after Monday's exercise, Beltran likely will progress from swings to hitting off a tee to regular batting practice. But if he can't manage the pain, Beltran would expect to be sidelined between eight and 10 weeks after surgery, according to Girardi.

"You don't want him going out there if he's taking a 'B' or 'C' swing. That's not going to help us. [We want him to swing] without having to hold back," Girardi said of Beltran, who was batting .234 with five homers and 15 RBI at the time of his injury.

CC in July

Girardi remains optimistic that he'll have CC Sabathia back in his rotation sometime in July, though it could be after the All-Star break. "It's going to take some time; he'll be out for a while," Girardi said of Sabathia's recovery after cortisone and stem cell treatment to combat a degenerative right knee.

"I don't necessarily think he'll have to start completely over, but he's going to have to make some rehab starts." For now, the rotation's "status quo" remains, with Vidal Nuno, David Phelps and today's starter, Chase Whitley, filling for the injured Sabathia, Michael Pineda and Ivan Nova.

Jeter honored

In a quick pregame ceremony, Derek Jeter was presented a No. 2 slat from the famous hand-operated Wrigley Field scoreboard by Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro. Hall of Fame Cubs shortstop Ernie Banks posed for a photo with the Yankees captain, who is retiring at year's end.

Yankees notes: Swing time for Carlos Beltran

The Record

Swing time

Carlos Beltran faces a significant test of his right elbow in five days. "He's going to try to start swinging a bat on Monday," said Yankees manager Joe Girardi. "And if it doesn't feel good, probably the next step will be surgery."

On Tuesday, Beltran visited Dr. James Andrews for a second opinion on the bone spur near his right elbow. The switch-hitting outfielder recently had a second cortisone shot to reduce the pain, which he first felt as a designated hitter May 12 against the Mets.

If he's OK after Monday's exercise, Beltran likely will progress from swings to hitting off a tee to regular batting practice. But if he can't manage the pain, Beltran would expect to be sidelined between eight and 10 weeks after surgery, according to Girardi.

"You don't want him going out there if he's taking a 'B' or 'C' swing. That's not going to help us. [We want him to swing] without having to hold back," Girardi said of Beltran, who was batting .234 with five homers and 15 RBI at the time of his injury.

CC in July

Girardi remains optimistic that he'll have CC Sabathia back in his rotation sometime in July, though it could be after the All-Star break. "It's going to take some time; he'll be out for a while," Girardi said of Sabathia's recovery after cortisone and stem cell treatment to combat a degenerative right knee.

"I don't necessarily think he'll have to start completely over, but he's going to have to make some rehab starts." For now, the rotation's "status quo" remains, with Vidal Nuno, David Phelps and today's starter, Chase Whitley, filling for the injured Sabathia, Michael Pineda and Ivan Nova.

Jeter honored

In a quick pregame ceremony, Derek Jeter was presented a No. 2 slat from the famous hand-operated Wrigley Field scoreboard by Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro. Hall of Fame Cubs shortstop Ernie Banks posed for a photo with the Yankees captain, who is retiring at year's end.